Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-06-11
letter from ,ur. John a. Parker.


To the editor of the Alexandria Gazette:
TAPPAHANNocK, Va, May Isl find in
your excellent paper of the Goth letter
dated Richmond, May 23, and signed "B.
P. o." the following:
Senator Heaton Of Loudoun, presented
TO- day petition FROM Bernard p. Green, in
reference TO payment for the services OF
Thomas Green, deceased, who was at one
time distinguished Virginia lawyer. John
A. Parker, VINO | believe lives in Washing
ton. has filed report in which he asks for
compensation for services rendered the
State in prosecuting claims against the ma
tional government. ! have not been able
to Learn what amount Mr. Parker wished the
State to pay him, bu: know that the petit
ton which MIR. Green has presented will
have the effect OF killing every chance Mr.
Parker ever had OF receiving u payment
from he State for whatever services he may
have rendered in the years gone by TO Tho
old Commonwealth. The petition OF MIR.
Green and The report Of Mr.. Parker have
gone TO u committee, and will slumber to-
gether long after Il final adjournment.
l ask leave to correct some errors into
which he has no doubt fallen unintentional-
ly: 1st. In my report, on the "status" of the
claims OF Virginia against the United States
laid before the Senate of Virginia, and re.
ferred 10 its Finance Committee, OH the 9th
of March, | asked for 40 payment for SER
vices rendered by me as agent lor Virginia;
under my original appointment rs agent oil
Virginia in lS59-60 aud 1881, no payment
cOuld be asked for until Congress passed said
claims, or has ever been asked for The
report as offered, before made to the Legs-
lalure, had for its Object. TO make the
Legislature fully acquainted with the pres
ent status Of said claim. .. To explain the
causes OF the failure of the passage of the
bill on the second day of March last, when
it was fully matured and ready to be put on
| lis passage, committees Of both houses hav-
| ing unanimously reported in liz favor, and
the Senate caucus had directed it should
pass Il may say, it is the first time known
to me that the Senate did hold n caucus on q
mirate Ml), when there was scarcely any
opposition; when the speaker OF the House
had promised to give Mr. Trigg the floor to
call up and put the bill on its passage.
| These facts are all sustained by letters en-
closed in sud report. $. A slight amond
ment to the act of 1854 was asked for, as
that act was ambiguous. These are the
main objects Of the report.
The report was not acted upon for reasons
| do not yet know. But the chairman Of
the committee the Hon. A. Koner wrote
me on the 10th OF April that his attention
had not been called TO it,
do not reside in Washington. As re-
CARDS Mr.. 3. p. Green's application for pay
ment for the services of his respected father,
know absolutely nothing; do know that
the Legislature of $3.50, Dec. II, will show
that was the first to ascertain and report to
Gov. Wise and the Legislature The exist
ence of this large and sacred debt due to
Virginia now fully admitted by both com
mittees OF Congress az a debt. Mr.. Green and
myself were appointed by said Legislature,
agents of Virginia. at the session of lS59-60,
and it is simple justice to him for me to say
that rs long rs his health permitted he was
active, energetic and efficient in the dis
charge Of his duties as agent But, for
number Of years before his death, his health
forbade hisattending to any business. During
that time and for many years after, was
the sole agent and without any assistance
from any one, except such as | employed
and have paid for, or become chargeable for.
The State Of Virginia has never expended
one dollar; my expenses ana payments with
my own means lave exceeded $1,000 and
time 2S gears 1t was during the time al
luded to that il was my good fortune to OBJ
lain from the Treasury Department. asains,
it, rules, an tented account with Virginia.
This report, now in my possession, shows
the exact amount due Virginia. which she
claimed, and will more than cancel the
bonds and interest held by the United States
against Virgnia-some 81 100000, and abso-
lutely SaUed to Virginia that amount
In 1884 the Legislature amended the act OF
1S59-60 and appointed Mr.. Z. =. Green q
CO agent, and, as | am informed. it was
actuaed by desire that the family of Mr.
T. Green should get the benefit of the SER
vices Of his father when tho claims should
be finally settled. As soon as was notified
of Mr. Green's appointment addressed him
letter and asked free conference, and re
peatedly since, as shown by letters accom-
panying my report. But for upwards of is
months have not seen or received any let
tor from him or any explanation why he did
not attend any OF tho conferences held
know not the cause. But il hes been sug
gested to me by one Of his friends by way of
explanation that he holds federal Office
and is therefore Ineligible from acting as
agent OF Virginia. ] do not know this; |
only state facts. The amount Virginia is
interested in is upwards of $2,00000G
Whether the claims will ever be placed on
the same footing they had on the Pad day OF
March last may depend on circumstances,
and to turn at last on the action Of the next
Legislature ofNirginia.
JOHN A. PARKER
A STRANGE SToRY.-A woman about 90